After being nearsighted for my whole life, I chose long distance lenses as replacements for my cataract surgery. This left me needing to wear reading glasses which I fully accept.

Now that I can start shooting again, I was wearing my reading glasses because I could not focus in the viewfinder screen during an event. It was anti-climatic, because I was hoping I was done with glasses while shooting.

About half way through the opera, I realized that I had forgotten the age old maxim that tells me to check my settings before starting a new shoot.

The setting I forgot to adjust was the diopter of the viewfinder to my new vision. DUH, leaving it at the old setting would force me to employ reading glasses! Took my glasses off, adjusted the setting on both cameras and voila!!!
No need for glasses in the viewfinder... of course, I still need them to see the display panel, but luckily I learned to adjust most settings by feel so I can keep my eye to the viewfinder.

You must be thinking of a variable neutral density filter; that has two polarizing filters which rotate against each other.

A CPL is a single piece that rotates.

To check whether your CPL is really a CPL, look at your computer screen through the filter (with the filter oriented with the threads facing you). As you rotate the filter, the screen should go black. If it just darkens a little, turn the filter around.

What could be wrong?

If you had to flip the filter to get the screen to go dark, then the filter is reversed in the holder and is defective. I've never tried taking one apart; not obvious how to do it. Take it back.

If the screen intensity doesn't change as you rotate the filter, then the filter is just a neutral density filter and you have a counterfeit. Take it back.

Hi I want to ask for everyone's opinion on what would be a good camera for a beginner in digital photography but also keep up with me as I grow as a digital photographer. I want a decent camera. I don't want to have to buy a new camera because I have out grown the camera I do buy. I am going to ask about a Canon or Nikon. I have noticed Nikon is a little cheaper than a Canon. Can anyone suggest what make and/or model would be a good mid-range digital camera? I don't want the cheapest but I don't need the top of the line either. All of your opinions matter to me.

I am at a crossroads regarding getting a new camera. I currently own a Lumix FZ200 and a Sony A6000. Both take very good photos. However, my Nikon S8200 compact travel camera is beginning to see its end of service and has a sizeable scratch on the surface of the lens. I would appreciate any wisdom here to assist me in making my decision.

Should I keep the A6000, sell the FZ200 and pick up a decent compact such as the Lumix ZS50 or the Sony HX90V, or keep the FZ200, sell the A6000 and lenses and get one of the compacts?

The FZ200 is light, but, much like a DSLR, is a bit bulky. The A6000 is small, but not exactly compact, either. I hate to get rid of either camera, but I need a travel compact camera that is quick to take a shot on auto mode, but also allows full manual or semi-auto modes. What would you all do here?